Launceston City Council is “very close to flicking the switch” on a $30,000 free wi-fi service for the CBD and Hobart may well follow. Picture: THINKSTOCKSource: Supplied

AS Launceston prepares to launch a free public wireless internet service for the CBD, the Hobart City Council is looking again at a similar project.

Launceston alderman Tony Peck said the city council was “very close to flicking the switch” on a $30,000 free wi-fi service for the Brisbane St Mall, Avenue, Quadrant Mall and Civic Square, which will provide users with up to 30 minutes of free internet access.

“For tourists, if they want a good restaurant or want to know where to go, all the information is right there (on their smart phone),” Ald Peck said.

In Hobart, Deputy Lord Mayor Ron Christie has instigated an investigation into a free wi-fi service for the waterfront and CBD, which he says would boost retail and tourism businesses and the many events held in the area.

The former Bartlett government launched a free wi-fi service for Hobart’s waterfront in 2010 but the service received poor user reviews and was later taken over by a private company.

Charles Gregory, from consumer group Digital Tasmania, said to make it a success the council would have to pay more for a service that was free of complicated log-in processes, annoying advertisements and data restrictions.

“It has to be a fast enough speed and easy enough to access for it to work,” he said.

Mr Gregory said a good free wi-fi service would enhance Hobart’s social media profile.